What makes a great shotgun? Is it the gauge, the brand, the price, or the gear you put on it?In this episode of Cross Trails, John and Taylor talk all things shotguns, hunting, duck hunting, turkey hunting, dove hunting, deer hunting, and the different gauges hunters use in the field. From 12 gauge and 20 gauge shotguns to the .410, they talk about their favorite guns, how they got into hunting, the gear they use, and why shotguns have become such a big part of their outdoor lives.But this conversation eventually goes somewhere much deeper.Being prepared matters. Knowing your equipment matters. Practice matters. And owning the most expensive gear doesn't automatically make you better at using it.That same principle applies to our faith.You can't wait until the last minute to pick up your Bible and expect to be prepared. Just like a hunter needs to know his firearm, understand his equipment, practice, and prepare before heading into the field, Christians need to spend time in God's Word and develop their relationship with Jesus before the difficult moments arrive.

What happens when a simple dove hunt with your kids turns into a conversation about fatherhood, faith, legacy, and discipleship?In this episode of Cross Trails, John and Troy talk about taking their kids dove hunting—and how the experience became a reminder of what really matters. The hunt wasn't just about birds, guns, or being outdoors. It was about spending time together, teaching responsibility, building memories, passing down a heritage, and creating opportunities to point our kids toward God.We talk about the importance of being present with your children, putting the phone down, teaching kids how to work, simplifying life, and making the outdoors a place where conversations about Jesus happen naturally.We also get real about the challenge of balancing work, ministry, marriage, fatherhood, and the temptation to become so busy doing good things that we neglect the people God has placed closest to us.One of the biggest questions of the episode is this:What are you actually passing down to your kids?Proverbs 22:6 reminds us to train up a child in the way he should go. Deuteronomy 6 reminds us to continually talk about God's commands with our children—when we sit at home, when we walk along the road, when we lie down, and when we get up.The goal isn't simply to raise kids who know how to hunt, hike, fish, camp, or navigate the outdoors.It's to raise kids who know Jesus.

Four years. One incredible Kentucky buck. And a bow shot at just 12 yards.In this episode of Cross Trails, Troy tells the story of the full-velvet buck he had been watching and patterning for years. Originally nicknamed “Uni” because of a unique kicker on his antler, this buck finally presented an opportunity on opening day of September bow season.But the hunt didn't end when the arrow hit.After waiting 45 minutes to an hour, Troy climbed down expecting to find the buck where he believed he had heard him crash. Instead, the deer was gone. What followed was a lesson in patience, discipline, and proper blood tracking that every deer hunter—especially new hunters—needs to hear.Most importantly, this conversation goes beyond the hunt. We talk about why the experience, the people you're with, and learning to enjoy the process can sometimes matter more than whether you tag the biggest buck.